JOSE MOURINHO insists Manchester United remain in the title fight and refuses to accept an injury crisis will hamper their chances against Chelsea on Saturday.

But Mourinho expects them to put up a strong challenge at Stamford Bridge and has refused to rule them out of the race for the Premier League.

United currently sit eight points behind the Blues but would close that gap to five and move into second with a win.

And Mourinho refused to accept that United would merely be looking to put up a good fight to prepare themselves for a title push next season.

He said: “They are fighting for the title. You read what they say and they are fighting for the title.

“They are already fighting for the title this season.”

The absence of four key players will force Louis van Gaal into a rethink and the Dutch tactician has already hinted he may have to play Wayne Rooney in midfield to compensate for the shortage.

GETTY

Jose Mourinho says Manchester United have an amazing squad

They are already fighting for the title this season.

Jose Mourinho

But Mourinho is adamant that the injuries won’t weaken the Red Devils.

He said: “I disagree because their squad is amazing.

“In numbers, in players, in experience, in solutions, their squad is amazing.

“Every week I have in my office not the team that I am going to play against but the squad on the big screen.

“And this week when I arrive in the room for the first time in the week I realised what they have is amazing.”

United look to be particularly short in the centre of defence with Jonny Evans also unavailable but Mourinho backed Van Gaal to get the best out of the likes of Nathan Blackett, saying: “They have Smalling - of course they don’t have Evans and Jones - but Van Gaal is a fantastic coach to bring up players.

“The kids, they played a lot of matches - they are more than ready.

“I know Mr Van Gaal very very well and I think he is the kind of person to think in this moment that he has a fantastic squad and we go with what we have.

“I think its the way he approaches injuries because injuries are part of the game.”

GETTY

Louis van Gaal has an injury crisis on his hands

Loic Remy looks likely to play a part for Chelsea as he bids to return from injury and Mourinho says he has had no problems motivating his squad this week.

He added: “Playing Man United is to play against one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“It is to play against one of best teams in the Premier League.

“I think this is what everybody wants.

“This week I was not worried about motivating players or encouraging players to be focussed on the game.

“There is no need. It was an easy job.”

And Mourinho had further good news for Chelsea fans, after revealing that Diego Costa’s recovery from a hamstring strain was going better than expected and that the Spaniard could return to face Arsenal next weekend.

He said: "He is progressing very well.

GETTY

Diego Costa is battling back from a hamstring strain

"I think he has a chance for the next weekend.

"As we were saying, our target was for Diego to play our last four matches.